city of god: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Literary, Theological, Academic, Cultural
Quick answer
What does “city of god” mean?
A theological term referring to the heavenly Jerusalem, the eternal dwelling place of God and the blessed, or more broadly, a community of the faithful bound by divine law, as opposed to a worldly, secular society.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A theological term referring to the heavenly Jerusalem, the eternal dwelling place of God and the blessed, or more broadly, a community of the faithful bound by divine law, as opposed to a worldly, secular society.
Used metaphorically to describe an ideal, perfect, or divinely ordered society or community. Also used as the title of works of art, notably the 2002 Brazilian film about gang warfare in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, creating a stark ironic contrast between the ideal and the brutal reality.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. The concept originates from Christian theology common to both cultures.
Connotations
Primarily theological or literary. The film reference is equally recognized in both UK and US intellectual/cinematic circles.
Frequency
Very low frequency in everyday speech. Appears almost exclusively in religious, philosophical, literary, or film studies contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “city of god” in a Sentence
[The] City of God + [contrasts with/opposes/is opposed to] + [the City of Man/secular world][To envision/build/long for] + [a/the] City of God[The film/book] 'City of God' + [depicts/explores/is set in] + [location/theme]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “city of god” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The sermon did not seek to city-of-god the congregation; it focused on practical charity.
American English
- His rhetoric attempts to city-of-god the nation's founding, ignoring its complex history.
adverb
British English
- The town was planned, one might say City-of-God-ly, with a chapel at the centre of every district.
American English
- They lived City-of-God-ishly, separate from the corrupt politics of the capital.
adjective
British English
- The community had a faintly City-of-God aura about it, all white stone and serene faces.
American English
- He proposed a somewhat City-of-God constitution for the online forum, banning all negativity.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Potentially used metaphorically in mission statements for ethical companies ("We aim to build a commercial City of God based on integrity"), but this is highly atypical.
Academic
Common in theology, philosophy (political theology), literature, and film studies. Refers to St. Augustine's work 'De Civitate Dei' or the cinematic masterpiece.
Everyday
Virtually never used. If used, it is a marked reference to the film or a high-flown metaphor for a perfect place.
Technical
A specific term in Christian theology and Augustinian studies, denoting the eternal, spiritual community of the saved.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “city of god”
Strong
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “city of god”
- Using it in lower case ('city of god') when referring to the theological concept.
- Using it as a casual synonym for 'a nice town'.
- Misspelling as 'City of Gods' (plural).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when referring to the specific theological concept or the titled work (film, book). In loose metaphorical use, capitals may be retained for emphasis but are not strictly required.
The term is central to St. Augustine of Hippo's 5th-century AD work 'De Civitate Dei contra Paganos' (The City of God against the Pagans), written after the sack of Rome.
The film uses the title ironically. The 'Cidade de Deus' favela is a place of violence and poverty, the antithesis of the peaceful, divine order suggested by the theological 'City of God'.
Yes, but it is a marked, literary usage. For example: 'Their eco-community was his vision of a modern City of God.' In everyday conversation, it would sound formal or poetic.
A theological term referring to the heavenly Jerusalem, the eternal dwelling place of God and the blessed, or more broadly, a community of the faithful bound by divine law, as opposed to a worldly, secular society.
City of god is usually literary, theological, academic, cultural in register.
City of god: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɪti əv ˈɡɒd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɪti əv ˈɡɑːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A modern-day City of God it is not.”
- “It was less a metropolis, more a City of Man than a City of God.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a shining city on a hill, governed by divine law, not human failings. This is the City of God, in contrast to the flawed, earthly City of Man below.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A CITY; MORALITY/FAITH IS UP (God's city is heavenly, ideal); THE SPIRITUAL IS ABOVE THE PHYSICAL.
Practice
Quiz
In a modern, non-religious context, what is the most likely referent of 'City of God'?